Vitruvian-backed Tinopolis buys Firecracker and Passion Distribution

Carmen Reichman
10 December 2012

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Vitruvian Partners' TV production company Tinopolis has snapped up UK-based independent film production company Firecracker Films and global media distribution company Passion Distribution within the first week of December.

Tinopolis aims to leverage on Passion's access to the US market as well as Firecracker's factual programming. The company acquired US-based TV production company Base Productions for an estimated $65m in 2011, following its purchase of Los Angeles-based producer, A Smith & Co, which produces the US versions of Gordon Ramsay's Hell's Kitchen and Kitchen Nightmares.

Vitruvian acquired Tinopolis in a take-private for £44.7m in 2008. The company's turnover has grown from £50m in 2006 to over £130m today.

Company
Passion Distribution was incorporated in 2008 by Sally Miles. The company is a television programme and formats distributor working in various genres including factual entertainment, reality, documentaries, lifestyle and game-shows.

Passion distributes content from North American and UK producers and broadcasters to media platforms across the world. The company's exclusive distribution agreements include partners such as Scripps Networks, The Oprah Winfrey Network, World of Wonder and Sundance Channel. Passion will inherit Tinopolis's existing distribution arm MINT.

Firecracker Films was founded by Mark Soldinger in London in 2002. The company focuses on documentary programming with international sales potential. It has achieved organic revenue growth of more than 150% in 2012.

Firecracker works with major broadcasters in the US and the UK and has created shows including Thelma's Gypsy Girls (C4), The Daredevils (C4), Family Guns (Nat Geo), Big Fat Gypsy Wedding and in the US, Big Fat American Gypsy Weddings (TLC).

Firecracker also has a branded content division that produces audio visual content directly for brands such as Diageo, Nissan, Heineken, Motorola and GSK.

People
Ron Jones is executive chairman of Tinopolis. Toby Wyles and Ben Johnson led the Tinopolis deal for Vitruvian and represent the investor on Tinopolis's board.